The 25 Best Golf Books of the Last 100+ Years
So many golf books have been published over the last 100 years, it's hard to find the absolute best golf. Whether you’re reading for instruction, history, entertainment or education, these are the 25 best golf books of the last 100-plus years, with great books in every category.
This list provides some of the best books in each genre to add to your library. Before we share our thoughts on each of these books, here's the complete list of our 25 favorite golf books of the last 100 years.
| Book | Author | Category | Shop Kindle | Shop Hard Copy |
| Little Red Book | Harvey Penick | Instruction | BROWSE | BROWSE |
| Golf My Way | Jack Nicklaus | Instruction | BROWSE | BROWSE |
| How I Play Golf | Tiger Woods | Instruction | BROWSE | BROWSE |
| The Art of Putting | Willie Park Jr. | Instruction | BROWSE | BROWSE |
| Five Lessons | Ben Hogan | Instruction | BROWSE | BROWSE |
| Your Short Game Solution | James Sieckman | Instruction | BROWSE | BROWSE |
| The Four Foundations of Golf | Jon Sherman | Instruction | BROWSE | BROWSE |
| The Keys to the Effortless Golf Swing | Michael McTeigue | Instruction | BROWSE | BROWSE |
| Tiger Woods | Jeff Benedict & Armen Keteyian | Biography | BROWSE | BROWSE |
| Phil | Alan Shipnuck | Biography | BROWSE | BROWSE |
|
The Pro: Lessons about Golf and Life |
Butch Harmon Jr. | Biography | BROWSE | BROWSE |
| Your 15th Club | Bob Rotella | Golf Psychology | ||
| Golf is Not a Game of Perfect | Bob Rotella | Golf Psychology | BROWSE | BROWSE |
| The Golfer's Mind | Bob Rotella | Golf Psychology | BROWSE | |
| How Champions Think | Bob Rotella | Golf Psychology | BROWSE | BROWSE |
| Be a Player | Pia Nilsson & Lynn Marriott | Golf Psychology | BROWSE | BROWSE |
| Golf Courses of the British Isles | Bernard Darwin | Architecture | BROWSE | BROWSE |
| Anatomy of a Golf Course | Tom Doak | Architecture | BROWSE | BROWSE |
| Golf Architecture in America | George C. Thomas | Architecture | BROWSE | BROWSE |
| A History of Golf | Robert Browning | History | BROWSE | BROWSE |
| Scotland's Gift | CB Macdonald | History | BROWSE | BROWSE |
| The Match | Mark Frost | History | BROWSE | BROWSE |
| Tommy's Honor | Kevin Cook | History | ||
| Uneven Lies | Peter McDaniel | History | BROWSE | |
| And Then Jack Said to Arnie | Don Wade | History | BROWSE | |
| Open, Inside the Ropes | John Feinstein | History | BROWSE | BROWSE |
Best Golf Instruction Books
Many golfers turn to literature for instruction to improve their game because golf instruction books offer so many benefits. In a traditional golf lesson, the student can be hit with so much new information, it’s nearly impossible to retain everything by the time their next practice session comes around. By learning through a book, you can always re-read a chapter, section, or the entire book as many times as you need to digest the information. Not to mention the significant savings in the cost of a book compared to hiring a golf professional for personal lessons.
Here are a few of the best golf instruction books ever published.
Harvey Penick’s Little Red Book
One of the most recognized books in all of golf is Harvey Penick’s "Little Red Book". This book is incredibly insightful and informative for those who want to learn how to play golf. The Little Red Book is not just for beginners either, as the most experienced golfers can benefit from the information in those pages as it provides nuggets of wisdom on every aspect of the game.
Golf My Way By Jack Nicklaus
The Golden Bear took his knowledge and put it into a book with “Golf My Way.” The 18-time major winner gives advice on the mental side of the game while also sharing insights on his own outlook and his techniques.
How I Play Golf By Tiger Woods
Who wouldn’t want to know how Tiger Woods plays golf? His book “How I Play Golf” provides a little insight into how Tiger approaches golf. While it’s from his earlier days, the book still gives practices that Tiger uses to keep his game in top shape. If you’re a Tiger fan, it’s one way to get inside the head of one of golf’s greatest of all time.
The Art of Putting By Willie Park Jr.
Published in 1920, “The Art of Putting” was the how-to golf book of its day. While it’s more of a collector's item today — particularly the leather-bound edition — there are still some valuable lessons. The Art of Putting gives tips and techniques on how to improve your short game. If we’re being real, putting is putting regardless of what decade or century it is.
Five Lessons by Ben Hogan
Ben Hogan's "Five Lessons" has stood the test of time as one of the most effective golf instruction manuals ever written. The book may be decades old, but the information is just as good today as it ever was.
Your Short Game Solution by James Sieckman
James Sieckman spent years learning what differentiates the world's best short game players from everyone else, and he gives away all the secrets in his book "Your Short Game Solution." Master your game from 120 yards and in with Sieckman's easy-to-follow and game-changing instruction.
Our recommendation is to re-visit this book annually about a month before your golf season begins and keep your scoring game sharp year after year.
The Four Foundations of Golf by Jon Sherman
If you want to shoot lower scores without chaning your swing, Jon Sherman's "The Four Foundations of Golf" is our top recommendation. Sherman illustrates exactly how to think your way around the golf course, helping you play your best golf without rebuilding your mechanics.
The Keys to the Effortless Golf Swing by Michael McTeigue
"The Keys to the Effortless Golf Swing" is our top recommendations for golfers who want to build a repeatable and easy-to-execute golf swing. Michael McTeigue outlines in clear and easy terms exactly how to get your swing into the ideal positions for power and consistency. It's a quick read with simply training drills you can do at home, and will absolutely help you build a more consistent golf swing.
The Best Golf Biographies
What golf fan wouldn't want to read the inside story of generational players like Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson? Golf biographies, particularly the unauthorized variety, shine a light on what goes on behind the scenes in the lives of the most famous golfers.
Tiger Woods by Jeff Benedict and Armen Keteyian
The book "Tiger Woods" dropped with much fanfare, and was even morphed into an HBO documentary. Jeff Benedict and Armen Keteyian's book is perhaps the most complete look at Tiger Woods life, public and private, docuemented to date.
Phil by Alan Shipnuck
From the charitable giving to the reckless gambling, and everything in between, Alan Shipnuck nails every inch of Phil Mickelson's persona, with some gut-busting anecdotes to boot, in "Phil: The Rip-Roading, Unauthorized Biography of Golf's Most Colorful Superstar."
The Pro: Lessons about Golf and Life From my Father Claude Harmon, Sr. By Butch Harmon Jr.
One of the greatest golf coaches of all time, Butch Harmon, details what it was like teaching Tiger Woods, and provides readers advice that the Harmon brothers learned from their father. "The Pro" is a great piece to read about one of the first families of golf.
Best Books for Golf Psychology
Golfers who learn to master the mental game have a distinct advantage over equally-skilled players who pay no attention to the mental element. No author has made more of an impact on training amateur and recreational golfers, as well as the pros, through his literature on the topic than Dr. Bob Rotella. Here are some of the best golf psychology books from Bob Rotella and other leaders in the field.
Your 15th Club: The Inner Secret to Great Golf
Dr. Bob Rotella teaches golfers how to unlock their best golf by making their mental game a strength in "Your 15th Club." He not only proves the merit of a strong mental game, but offers methods for strengthening and maintaining your own mental game.
Golf is Not a Game of Perfect
Rotella’s “Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect” provides insightful stories aimed to help improve the game of the most casual golfer. Rotella goes beyond the usual mental aspects of golf, instead he wants golfers to create a positive mindset and attitude about all aspects of their game.
The Golfer’s Mind
Another Rotella book that all golfers should have in their library is “The Golfer’s Mind.” This book was inspired by a suggestion by Davis Love Jr., that Rotella write a book on golf’s mental challenges. If you’re struggling mentally on the course, this book is a great guide that’ll help you get in the right mindset and ultimately improve your game.
How Champions Think
The final Rotella book that all golfers should have in their library is “How Champions Think.” We all want to have a champion's mindset and this book provides a guide to building confidence in every element of life, not just on the course. How Champions Think is a collection of Rotella’s theories on how to handle life and is a must-read.
Be a Player by Pia Nilsson & Lynn Marriott
Thinking about your mental game in a new way could probably change your golf game for the better. Pia Nilsson and Lynn Marriott take your mindset on a journey and transform your on-course thinking in "Be a Player."
Best Golf Architecture Books
If you’re the type of player who appreciates strategic bunker placement, scrutinizes over angles and calculates risk-reward, it’s time to check out these golf architecture books.
Golf Courses of the British Isles By Bernard Darwin
If you’re interested in the "British Isles Golf Courses" this book by Bernard Darwin is for you. Instead of focusing on the technical side of architecture, Darwin investigates the peculiarities of golf courses. Published in 1910, it’s a book that helps the biggest golf advocates appreciate the history of the British Isles.
The Anatomy of a Golf Course by Tom Doak
Tom Doak takes the reader on a journey through every aspect of golf course architecture in his book “The Anatomy of a Golf Course.” From why a hole dog-legs left instead of right to the view from the tee, Doak explains the strategies behind architecture decisions, because knowing why a course is laid out the way it is helps golfers better understand how to play it.
RELATED: Tom Doak Golf Courses and Signature Design Features
Golf Architecture in America; Its Strategy and Construction By George C. Thomas
Published in 1926, George C. Thomas discusses why the golf courses in America need their own touch to separate them from European courses. His book "Golf Architecture in America" details the methods and philosophies used to design, construct and maintain some of the most well-known golf courses in the United States. With over 150 black-and-white photos, readers get a taste of what building golf courses was like during Thomas’ time.
The Best Books on Golf History
Golf has a rich history with roots in Scotland that have spread worldwide. Learn about some of the key people, places and events that helped shape golf into the game it is today in these golf history books.
A History of Golf: The Royal and Ancient Game From Its Beginnings Until Present Day by Robert Browning
“A History of Golf” details the evolution of golf courses, equipment, terms and rules, and participants of the game including the history of women’s golf. Robert Browning gives a chronological table of 600 years of the growth of golf.
Scotland’s Gift: Golf by CB Macdonald
CB Macdonald provides a beautiful combination of American Golf History and the story of one of golf’s greatest architects. “Scotland’s Gift” details the birth of golf in the United States and formation of the USGA in 1894, and Macdonald provides an insight into the methods used to design some of the most renowned courses in America.
The Match: The Day the Game of Golf Changed Forever by Mark Frost
Mark Frost takes you on a journey through the 1956 match between the amateur side of Harvie Ward and Ken Venturi and the professional duo of Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson. "The Match" is a must-read that illustrates how this showdown changed golf.
Tommy’s Honor: The Story of Old Tom Morris and Young Tom Morris Golf’s Founding Father and Son by Kevin Cook
Kevin Cook delves into one of the most well-known historic golf figures, Old Tom Morris and his son Young Tom Morris who are golf legends to this day. "Tommy’s Honor" tells this father-son duo’s story of triumph and heartbreak. Cook’s book isn’t just for golfers, but for anyone who enjoys history and a personal saga.
Uneven Lies: The Heroic Story of African Americans in Golf by Peter McDaniel
Peter McDaniel tells the history of African Americans in golf in “Uneven Lies.” From the 1896 U.S. Open where the first African Americans played in the national competition to the invention of the golf tee in 1899, this book tells the stories of black golfers and how they’ve left their imprint on the game.
And Then Jack Said to Arnie By Don Wade
A light-hearted book, “And Then Jack Said to Arnie” provides stories from some of golf’s greatest players. Wade delivers the stories everyone wants to hear from the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Sam Snead in a book for the golf lovers who want a little insight from the locker room and enjoy a good story.
Open: Inside the Ropes at Bethpage Black By John Feinstein
John Feinstein goes behind the scenes to tell the story of how the 2002 U.S. Open Championship transformed a public course into one of the most difficult and surprising in the tournament’s history. "Open: Inside the Ropes at Bethpage Black" is for the golf lovers who want insight to what goes on behind the scenes and inside the ropes.
Final Thoughts
If you enjoy reading about golf in general, or want to become an expert in a specific area or skill of the game, this is a great list to get started. Of course, there are many golf books that didn’t make this list that are also worth a read.